Lost in Paris: A University love

"Mom," tawag ko sa mommy ko. Nilingon niya ako matapos bihisan si Dad. "Bakit?" I handed her half of the money I earned from work. "Sweldo ko po. Para sa gamot ni Dad." She took the money from my hand and smiled. "Salamat, anak. Sana hindi kana nag-abala pa. I still have some money left from my savings pero salamat." "It's okay, Mom. We need the money for Dad and for Leeno's needs." She smiled and hugged me. "I'm sorry you have to go through this."  "Mom, please don't say sorry. It's okay and it's my choice." I smiled. "And by the way, Mom. I applied to work at the Salvatore's." Kumunot ang noo ni Mommy dahil sa sinabi ko. "Why? Sapat na naman 'yung kinikita mo sa coffee shop anak? Why need to strain yourself more?"  "We need extra money, My. Wala na si Ate para bigyan tayo ng magandang buhay, kaya kailangan ko ng trabaho na malaki ang binibigay na sweldo. And the Salvatore's offer is tempting. 60 pesos per hour lang sa coffee shop, and if it gets totaled na for the whole month, it won't be enough for our daily needs. If I work for the Salvatore's, maybe we can get to have an out-of-town vacation if we save some money." I said and smiled. True enough, the Salvatore's surely offered a huge amount of money for me to just clean and help around the house. My monthly sweldo is almost 8000 pesos so it will be worth it. As a working student also, the Salvatore's offered to give me money for my school allowance weekly.  "Okay, anak. But please don't tire yourself. Baka mapabayaan mo ang pag-aaral mo dahil sa trabaho." I smiled. "I won't, Mom." "O 'sya, maglalaba na muna ako at pakibantay nalang muna sa Daddy mo. May lakad kaba, 'nak?" She asked while getting the laundry basket.  "Wala, Mom. Day off ko po ngayon sa Cafe dahil payday." She took the laundry basket and went her way to our backyard. "Sige, 'nak. Pkaibantay muna sa Daddy mo at baka may kailangan 'yan. Kapag tapos na akong maglaba, puntahan mo ang ate mo sa bahay nila at tulungan mo. Maselan pa naman ang pagbubuntis 'non." She said worriedly so I said yes.  May plano naman talaga akong pumunta kay ate mamaya, I'm just glad Mom reminded me since the visiting plan got erased from my mind. Kailangan ng tulong ni ate sa bahay nila dahil hindi siya pwedeng nagtatrabaho palagi dahil malapit na 'syang manganak. Ayoko namang mapahamak ang bagong prinsesa sa pamilya namin dahil lang sa mga gawaing bahay. Wala kasi ang asawa ni ate dahil sa trabaho kaya kailangan talagang pumunta ako doon. I just need to be ready. Tomorrow will be the start of my work for the Salvatore's. Ang gwapo pa naman sa panganay na anak nila, 'yung si Avi? I giggled with the thought. Pero ba't parang pambabae masyado 'yung nickname? Oh, well. Let's just see what will happen tomorrow. Wish me luck.